January 25, 2026 08:00
Champions, athletes and amateurs take part in Italy's most famous cross-country ski race, from Moena to Cavalese, along a 70 km route
Since 1971, the last Sunday in January has been synonymous with the Marcialonga di Fassa e Fiemme, a race that has made the two Trentino valleys a world reference point for Nordic skiing. Now in its 53rd edition, the Marcialonga is an unmissable event for athletes and enthusiasts alike, thanks to its spectacular route that winds mostly through the streets of the villages. Both the main 70 km route from Moena to Cavalese and the shortened variant from Moena to Predazzo are to be covered exclusively in classic technique. Most of the 7,500 registered athletes, affectionately called "bisons", come from Scandinavian countries, especially Norway, turning the weekend into a true Nordic skiing festival. All along the course, spectators enthusiastically encourage every competitor, from the first to the last.
The Marcialonga kicks off from the Moena plain at 8 a.m. with a spectacular mass start. From there, the cross-country skiers head up the Val di Fassa, following the "Avisio" river backwards as far as Canazei, where they reverse course to return to the other side of the torrent. The descent towards Cavalese is smooth and gradual: first they pass Campitello, then Pera, Pozza and Moena, to then continue towards Predazzo and the Val di Fiemme. The decisive moment comes on the ascent of the Cavalese waterfall, known as the "Mur de la Stria", with gradients approaching 20 %. Only the most tenacious will manage to cross the finish line in "Viale Mendini" street, celebrating their feat in one of the most iconic competitions in Nordic skiing. The record to beat is 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Programme on Friday, 23 January 2026:
- at 2.30 p.m. Predazzo - Marcialonga Baby, initiative for children up to 6 years old
- at 4.30 p.m. Val di Fassa - Marcialonga Story, vintage ski race with old style equipment
Programme on Saturday, 24 January 2026:
- at 1 p.m. Val di Fassa - Marcialonga Stars, race reserved to VIPs with snow-rackets in collaboration with the Italian association for cancer research
- at 2 p.m. Val di Fassa - Minimarcialonga, 3 km classic technique cross-country skiing race cross for children aged 6 to 12
- at 3 p.m. Val di Fassa - Marcialonga Young, 4 km cross-country race for the teenagers category aged 14 to 16
- at 5 p.m. Canazei - Marcialonga Baby, initiative for children up to 6 years old
Programme on Sunday, 25 January 2026:
- at 8 a.m. Moena - start of the Marcialonga di Fiemme e Fassa
- at 11 a.m. Cavalese: arrival of the first competitors and prize giving ceremony
On Sunday morning, the state road no. 48 "delle Dolomiti" will be temporary closed between the Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo and the crossroad to Costalunga Pass in San Giovanni di Fassa (from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.). The public transport could therefore be subject to delays.
From 6 to 22 February 2026, Val di Fiemme will host the cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined events of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The Marcialonga will take place as usual, with slight changes to the route and the programme of side events to avoid the Olympic areas already in operation.
